Hacienda La Florida dry mill facility in Malacatos, Loja
Inaugurated 2025 • Malacatos, Loja

Precision
Dry Milling & Quality Services

Inaugurated in July 2025 in Malacatos, Loja, our processing plant serves Hacienda La Florida and regional producers with cutting-edge technology. From hulling and optical sorting to climate-controlled adobe storage, we ensure zero-defect specialty coffee ready for global export.

10,000 kg Daily Capacity
1,550 m Milling Elevation
18-20°C Adobe Controlled Temp
SCA Zero Defect Standard
The Milling Chain

Inside Our Meticulous Dry Milling Chain

Every microlot goes through a strict sequence of six mechanical, optical, and manual stages to unlock its full potential and secure absolute purity.

Dry milling machinery at Hacienda La Florida
01

Hulling & Dry Milling

We gently remove the outer protective parchment (or dried cherry for natural coffees) using friction-based hulling machines that preserve bean integrity.

Technical

Friction and air flow are calibrated precisely based on moisture content (10.5% - 11.5%) to avoid chipping or heating.

02

Screen Mesh Sorting

Green beans pass through vibrating screen separators with precisely sized holes. Grading coffee by size is essential for roasters to achieve even thermal transfer.

Technical

Separation into export-grade sizes (typically screens 14 to 18/19) separating out small peaberries and oversized beans.

03

Density Sorting (Gravity Separator)

Beans are fed into the density classifier. Vibrating platforms combined with upward forced air float lighter, underdeveloped, or insect-damaged beans down the slope, while dense beans climb up.

Technical

Fluidized bed separation isolating dense beans rich in organic acids, sweetness, and complex aromas.

Step 04

Optical Color Sorting

High-speed camera sensors scan every bean in mid-air. Millisecond-quick compressed air jets eject off-color, black, sour, or insect-damaged beans from the clean flow.

Optical color sorting machine scanning coffee beans at high speed
04
Technical Parameter

Multispectral color sorting tuned to identify primary defects that ruin cup clarity.

Step 05

Manual Sorting

Our team of highly skilled local women (seleccionadoras) conducts a final check on conveyor belts. This meticulous human eye ensures a true zero-defect specialty lot.

Skilled women manually selecting zero-defect specialty coffee beans
05
Technical Parameter

Sorting stations optimized to leverage natural solar light efficiently, complemented by color-balanced artificial lighting to meet SCA quality protocols.

Step 06

Export Packaging & Adobe Storage

To lock in freshness, coffee is vacuum-packaged (our signature block 'panelitas') or packed in GrainPro bags. We store them in the first climate-controlled adobe cellar in Ecuador.

Vacuum-sealed panelitas stored in climate-controlled adobe warehouse
06
Technical Parameter

Constant temperature of 18–20°C and humidity control preserves green coffee freshness and cup quality for up to 12 months.

Q-Grader cupping laboratory at Hacienda La Florida
SCA Certified
Quality Control Laboratory

SCA Cupping Lab & Physical Coffee Analysis

Led by certified Q-Graders, our laboratory serves as the validation hub for green coffee excellence. We offer physical and sensory evaluation services for regional producers, providing traceability and commercial value to Loja's coffee production.

Moisture & Water Activity

Precise measurements using calibrated equipment to ensure coffee is safely dried and stable for long-term shipping.

Sensory Cupping & Profile Development

Blind cuppings following SCA standards to identify flavor descriptors, acidity structure, and assign sensory scores.

Defect Analysis & Grading

Physical grading of 350g green coffee samples to identify, count, and document primary and secondary defects.

Roasting Services

Precision Roasting & Profile Optimization

We operate modern roasting equipment and software (Cropster) to develop roast profiles tailored to each variety's cell structure. Our facility provides custom roasting, sample evaluation, and packaging services for local brands and international roasters.

Roast Profile Development

Iterative roasting and cupping to design profiles that highlight specific sweetness, clarity, or body goals.

Sample Roasting & Micro-Roasting

Small-batch sample roasting (50g to 100g) under controlled conditions to evaluate green coffee quality and lot potential.

Commercial Packaging Support

Medium-scale roasting with access to heat-sealed bag packaging, degassing valves, and private label support.

Precision roasting and cupping evaluation
Cropster

Partner with Our Processing Facility

Whether you are a regional farmer looking for dry milling, cupping, or custom roasting in Loja, or an importer evaluating green coffee lots, we are here to deliver precision and care.